Major Conflicts

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• Major Conflicts
• Examining Mormonisms Rejection of the historic
  Christian Faith

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• LDS Sources of Reference

• The Standard Works (Bible, BoM, DC, Peal of
  Great Price)
• Current LDS magazines (Ensign, New Era or
  Liahona) or on the LDS Website (www.LDS.org)
• Information presented at General Conference
• Statements made by the LDS President or General
  Authorities

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Six Areas of Rejection

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Nature of God Historic Christianity

• God is a trinity of persons Father, Son and
  Holy Spirit.
• Monotheism Only belief that there is only one
  God. (Isa. 4310 446,8 455,14,18,21,22 469)
• Attributes of God
• omniscient
• omnipresent
• omnipotent
• The Father is spirit and can not be seen.
  (Exodus 3320 John 118 1 Tim. 616 John 646)
• Jesus is God in human flesh. (John 11,14)
• Holy Spirit, is the third person of the Trinity

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Nature of God Mormonism

• God the Father is an exalted man
• The Godhead A perfect unity between the
  Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They preside
  over this world and all other creations of our
  Father in Heaven.
• Multiple Gods exist
• Jesus is the literal off-spring of God the
  Father

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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Nature of God Mormonism

• AS MAN IS, GOD ONCE WAS AS GOD IS, MAN MAY
  BE." (Fifth LDS President Lorenzo Snow, June
  1840)
• He directed the Creation of this earth on which
  we live. In His image man was created. He is
  personal. He is real. He is individual. He has a
  body of flesh and bones as tangible as mans
• (DC 13022) (quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, In
  These Three I Believe, Liahona, Jul 2006, 28)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Nature of God Mormonism

• Anyone who believes and teaches of God the
  Father, and accepts the divinity of Christ, and
  of the Holy Ghost, teaches a plurality of Gods.
• (Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the twelve, The
  Pattern of Our Parentage, Ensign, Nov 1984,  66)
• I am aware that Jesus said they who had seen
  Him had seen the Father. Could not the same be
  said by many a son who resembles his parent?
  When Jesus prayed to the Father, certainly He was
  not praying to Himself!
• (quoted by Gordon B. Hinckley, In These Three I
  Believe, Liahona, Jul 2006, 28)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Nature of God Mormonism

• ...you have got to learn how to be gods
  yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God,
  the same as all gods have done before you,
  namely, by going from one small degree to
  another,... from exaltation to exaltation, until
  you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and
  are able to dwell in everlasting burnings. and to
  sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in
  everlasting power" Joseph Smith, Jr., History of
  the Church, Vol.6, Ch.14, p.305-6
• "2. They will become gods." Blessings of
  Exaltation, Gospel Principles p.302
• "... and they shall pass by the angels, and the
  gods , which are set there, to the exaltation and
  glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon
  their heads, which glory shall be a fulness and a
  continuation of the seeds forever and ever." DC
  13219

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Nature of Man Historic Christianity

• Prior to the Fall of Adam Man was sinless,
  perfect and good. (Gen 131)
• "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
  world, and death by sin and so death passed upon
  all men, for that all have sinned"
• (Romans 512)
• For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
  they are the sons of God. For ye have not
  received the spirit of bondage again to fear but
  ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby
  we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth
  witness with our spirit, that we are the children
  of God  And if children, then heirs heirs of
  God, and joint-heirs with Christ if so be that
  we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
  together. (Romans 814-17)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Nature of Man Mormonism

• Man lived with God in a pre-existent life.
• We are the literal children of Heavenly Father.
• Man was made in the image of God (God in Embryo)
• I am a child of God,
• And He has sent me here,
• Has given me an earthly home
• With parents kind and dear.
• I am a child of God,
• Rich blessings are in store
• If I but learn to do his will
• Ill live with him once more.
• (Sing with Me, B-76.)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Nature of Man Mormonism

Like God What is in error, then, when we use
the term Godhood to describe the ultimate destiny
of mankind? We may now be young in our
progressionjuvenile, even infantile, compared
with Him. Nevertheless, in the eternities to
come, if we are worthy, we may be like unto Him,
enter His presence, see as we are seen, and
know as we are known, and receive a fulness.
(DC 7694.) This doctrine is not at variance
with the scriptures. Nevertheless, it is easy to
understand why some Christians reject it, because
it introduces the possibility that man may
achieve Godhood. The Bible, that speak in
plural terms of lords and gods. The first
chapter of Genesis states And God said, Let us
make man in our image, after our likeness. (Gen.
126) The strongest one was given by Christ
Himself when He quoted that very clear verse from
the Eighty-second PsalmIs it not written in
your law, I said, Ye are gods? See Ps. 826.,
John 1034 (Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, The Pattern of Our Parentage,
Ensign, Nov 1984,  66 )
Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Sin Mormonism

• The Fall of Adam was a good thing.
• Righteousness comes from knowing sin.
• Man is not accountable for Adams Sin
• When Man sins the Holy Ghost leaves.

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Sin Mormonism

• Lehi taught If ye shall say there is no law,
  ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall
  say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is
  no righteousness (2 Nephi 213)
• The Lord has said that He "cannot look upon sin
  with the least degree of allowance" (DC 131)
• Sin results in the withdrawal of the Holy
  Ghost. It makes the one who sins unable to dwell
  in the presence of Heavenly Father, for "no
  unclean thing can dwell with God" (1 Nephi 1021)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Sin Mormonism

• "The Fall was a glorious necessity to open the
  doorway toward eternal life" (Ensign, Jan. 2002,
  pg. 36)
• Adam fell that men might be, Lehi declared,
  and men are, that they might have joy (2 Nephi
  225)
• "Adam did only what he had to do. He partook of
  that fruit for one good reason, and that was to
  open the door to bring you and me and everyone
  else into this world, for Adam and Eve could have
  remained in the Garden of Eden they could have
  been there to this day, if Eve hadnt done
  something." (President Joseph Fielding Smith,
  Ensign, Jan. 2006, 52-53)
• "We believe that men will be punished for their
  own sins, and not for Adam's transgression."
  (2nd Article of Faith)
• The Fall was not a disaster. It wasnt a
  mistake or an accident. It was a deliberate part
  of the plan of salvation. We are Gods spirit
  offspring, sent to earth innocent of Adams
  transgression. (The AtonementAll for All, ELDER
  BRUCE C. HAFEN Of the Seventy, Ensign, May 2004
  (from April 2004 General Conference))

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Sin Historic Christianity

• "So then as through one transgression there
  resulted condemnation to all men..." (Romans
  518)
• "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the
  world, and death by sin and so death passed upon
  all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 512)
  
• For the wages of sin is death (Romans 623)
• "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
  shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 1521)
•  

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Heaven Mormonism

Heaven, which is the kingdom of God, is where
those who have been obedient to Gods plan of
life and salvation go after judgment and the
resurrection. There are three kingdoms of
glory the celestial kingdom, the terrestrial
kingdom, and the telestial kingdom. The glory we
inherit will depend on the depth of our
conversion, expressed by our obedience to the
Lord's commandments. It will depend on the manner
in which we have "received the testimony of
Jesus" (DC 7651 see also DC 7674, 79, 101).
B. Renato Maldonado, Messages from the Doctrine
and Covenants The Three Degrees of Glory,
Ensign, Apr 2005,  6265
Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Hell Mormonism

The Hell That Has No End The three degrees of
glory provide eternal homes for the vast majority
of Gods children who merited earth life. There
is a fourth destination, however, for those
comparatively few who cannot abide even a
telestial glory. The Lord explains that the
destiny of the sons of perdition is a kingdom
without glory (see DC 8824), and the end
thereof, neither the place thereof, nor their
torment, no man knows, only those ordained unto
this condemnation (see DC 764349). These are
they who cannot repent. They sin against (the
Holy Ghost and put Christ to open shame. (See
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation,
comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols., Salt Lake City
Bookcraft, 195456, 14749.)
Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Hell Mormonism

Before a man can sink to this bitterness of
soul, he must first know and understand the truth
with a clearness of vision wherein there is no
doubt. The Change of heart does not come all at
once, but is due to transgression in some form,
which continues to lurk in the soul without
repentance, until the Holy Ghost withdraws, and
then that man is left to spiritual darkness. Sin
begets sin the darkness grows until the love of
truth turns to hatred, and the love of God is
overcome by the wicked desire to destroy all that
is just and true. In this way Christ is put to
open shame, and blasphemy exalted. (I Have a
Question, Ensign, Apr 1986,  3641) Questions of
general gospel interest answered for guidance,
not as official statements of Church policy.
Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Salvation Mormonism

• Salvation has two meanings, General Salvation
  (Resurrection) or Exaltation
• Righteousness comes from obedience to the laws
  and ordinances of the Gospel.
• Grace must be earned.
• Grace can be lost.
• There is no assurance that you will live in the
  presence of God when you die.

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Salvation Mormonism

• "We believe that through the Atonement of
  Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to
  the laws and ordinances of the Gospel." (3rd
  Article of Faith)
• ..for we know that it is by grace we are
  saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 2523)
• "It is clear that our acceptance of the gift of
  grace is not a single act occurring at a single
  moment in time, but is instead an ongoing process
  and obligation." (Justification and
  Sanctification, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of
  the Presidency of the Seventy, Ensign, June 2001,
  18-25)
• Today there is much controversy and contention
  among the doctrines and philosophies of men
  relative to the requirements for entrance into
  the kingdom of God. Many have been deceived by
  the teachings of men that works and obedience to
  Gods commandments are not essential, and some
  base their contention on scriptures. For example,
  Paul said, For by grace are ye saved through
  faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift
  of God Not of works, lest any man should
  boast. (Bernard P. Brockbank, Entrance into
  the Kingdom of God, Ensign, Jan 1973,  44)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Salvation Mormonism

• "And it shall come to pass, that whoso
  repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be
  filled and if he endureth to the end, behold,
  him will I hold guiltless before my Father at
  that day when I shall stand to judge the
  world.And he that endureth not unto the end, the
  same is he that is also hewn down and cast into
  the fire, from whence they can no more return,
  because of the justice of the Father." (3 Nephi,
  2716-17)
• For behold, justice exerciseth all his
  demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her
  own and thus, none but the truly penitent are
  saved Alma 422224
• For he who is not able to abide the law of a
  celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory
  (DC 8822)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Salvation Historic Christianity

• For by grace are ye saved through faith and
  that not of yourselves it is the gift of God
  Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we
  are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
  good works(Eph. 28-10)
• And if by grace, then is it no more of works
  otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of
  works, then it is no more grace otherwise work
  is no more work. (Romans 116)
• I do not frustrate the grace of God for if
  righteousness come by the law, then Christ is
  dead in vain. (Gal 321)
• Now to him that worketh is the reward not
  reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that
  worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth
  the ungodly, his faith is counted for
  righteousness. (Romans 44-5)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity
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• Salvation Historic Christianity

• Therefore being justified by faith, we have
  peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  (Romans 51)
• Knowing that a man is not justified by the works
  of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
  even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we
  might be justified by the faith of Christ, and
  not by the works of the law for by the works of
  the law shall no flesh be justified. (Gal. 216)
• But that no man is justified by the law in the
  sight of God, it is evident for, The just shall
  live by faith. (Gal 311)
• Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
  us unto Christ, that we might be justified by
  faith. But after that faith is come, we are no
  longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal. 324-25)
•  

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Salvation Historic Christianity

• But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
  while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
  (Romans 58)
• For God so loved the world, that he gave his
  only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
  him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
  (John 316)
• That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
  Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
  God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
  saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
  righteousness and with the mouth confession is
  made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
  Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
  (Romans 109-11)
•  

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Forgiveness Mormonism

• We can return to live with God the Father only
  through Christs mercy, and we receive Christs
  mercy only on condition of repentance. (Preach My
  Gospel, A guide to missionary service, pg. 62)
• "Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the
  same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them
  no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth
  of his sinsbehold, he will confess them and
  forsake them. (DC 5842-43)
• And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord,
  will not lay any sin to your charge go your ways
  and sin no more but unto that soul who sinneth
  shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your
  God. (DC 827)
• And I say unto you again that he cannot save
  them in their sins for I cannot deny his word,
  and he hath said that no unclean thing can
  inherit the kingdom of heaven therefore, how can
  ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of
  heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your
  sins. (Alma 1137)

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
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• Forgiveness Historic Christianity

• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
  just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
  from all unrighteousness. (1 John 19)
• Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that
  through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is
  proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who
  believes is justified from everything you could
  not be justified from by the law of Moses. (Acts
  1338-39)
• Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to
  salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly
  sorrow brings death. (Romans 58)
•  

Major Conflicts Examining Mormonisms rejection
of Christianity